The Last Meal

Two homeless strangers make a fateful agreement: Zigis will help Ana end her life but only if they marry first.

Self-reserved yet determined, Ana (42) lives a quiet, bleak existence in an abandoned garden shed, patiently awaiting the passing of her old dog, Kroko, so she can finally end her own life in peace. But when Kroko dies and Ana attempts to follow suit, her rare neurological condition—alien hand syndrome—complicates things, as one hand persistently sabotages the other’s efforts.

Zigis (35), a chatty, opportunistic drifter who stumbles upon Ana and forms an unlikely connection. Recently evicted from his only prized possession—an old car—Zigis has big plans for another shady scheme. However, his hopes rest on inheriting his ailing grandmother’s apartment, a promise she’ll only fulfill if he settles down and starts a family.

In a spur-of-the-moment decision, Zigis proposes marriage to Ana. She jokingly agrees, on the condition that after the wedding, he’ll help her end her life. For Zigis, the arrangement is clear: the wedding must go forward, but he has no intention of taking Ana’s life himself. Instead, he hatches a new plan—to bring Ana to the Netherlands, where euthanasia might be an option. Naturally, the journey proves anything but simple, as Ana and Zigis must find a mutually beneficial outcome—all while Zigis’ grandmother begins to make a miraculous recovery.

Director's note:
The idea for this film is inspired by a true story from Latvia’s State Police press statement where a paradoxical plot led to the realization of a unique film opportunity. Growing up in a family with a history of suicide, I was prompted to delve into the motivations behind such actions. Through personal experiences and interactions with homeless individuals, a theme of loneliness and distrust emerges. The film aims to shed light on the experiences of the homeless, highlighting their humanity and struggles. With nearly a million homeless people in Europe, the storytelling challenge lies in balancing the seriousness of the topic with humour. The film's tone will be vibrant, dynamic, and humorous, portraying a life-affirming narrative of two individuals grappling with the desire for intimacy despite their urge to end their lives. Shot on real locations with a hand-held camera, the film seeks to humanize the homeless and address the complexities of trust and change in their lives.

Producer's note:
We at VFS Films are happy to work with Elza Gauja’s upcoming film “The Last Meal”. Her recent works have shown her ability to produce professional work that features many great qualities. One of the most attractive aspects of “The Last Meal” was the chosen genre - dramedy. In her previous film, we noticed Elza’s appealing sense of humour and the ability to transfer it onto the big screen for wider audiences. Locally, we don't see many screenwriters and directors who choose to use humour in their films. It has proven to be one of the most difficult forms of communication to translate in a script and later to the screen. The chosen set of problems that “The Last Meal” explores are relevant in any society. Elza’s intention to conduct this conversion in a bright tone, complementing the script with humorous episodes and dialogues, brings the viewer closer to the main protagonists and makes the film appealing for broader audiences.